Thelman sits next to 5 phonetic neighbors — Thelma, Telford, and Theron are the closest matches by sound. Most share Thelman's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"will, desire, divine purpose"
"short form of Elizabeth"
"tough, masculine, rugged"
"dedicated to Dionysus (god of wine)"
"entry, means of approach"
"a fertile plain, level country"
"Helper to the priest; free-born noble"
"laurel tree"
"prosperity, fair weather, rich ore vein"
"blessed warrior"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Thelman — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Greek origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Thelman.
Rhythm: Thelman is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.